Of the 85 patients put on Short-Course Chemotherapy (2 S2H2R2Z2/4 S2H2R2) for six months under service conditions on domiciliary basis, 53 had completed the full course, 32 having dropped out as 'Lost' cases at various Ievels. Sputum conversion was attained in 96.2% of these patients, as confirmed by culture examination and, 88.7% had sustained regression of the radiological lesions. Of the 24 patients who were lost after having availed at least one month of treatment, 18 (75%) were assessed to have obtained sputum conversion at the follow-up smear examinations prior to their being lost. Lack of co-operation contributed to 37.6% of the instances of 'Lost cases' and emigration accounted for 31.3%. Cost-wise also the Short-Course regimen is only marginally higher than the conventional regimen.

In a retrospective analysis of 76 cases having undergone short - course chemotherapy under routine hospital conditions in Pondicherry the incidence of clinical jaundice was observed in seven percent. Gastro - intestinal toxicity was high (20%). There, however, does not appear to be room for alarm on this score because vomiting was mild and transient and easily amenable to simple measures like changing the time of administration or lowering the dose in most cases.

Patients who survive resection of a primary neoplasm of the lung must be followed by periodic radiological examination of the chest for the rest of their lives as certain individuals have an increased cancer susceptibility. A second primary neoplasm of the lung may develop metachronously over a period ranging from three to 10 years. The cell type and histologic changes may be identical in the first and subsequent growth.

Effect of PRANAYAMA was studied in 20 males and 10 females suffering from perennial asthma. The mean age of the males was 32 years and females 25 years. The mean duration of asthma was 7 years in males and 5 years in females. Initial data regarding the clinical symptom, dosages of drugs and spirometry (absolute values, predicted percentages and response to bronchodilator aerosol) were recorded and were repeated every 15 days for 75 days. All were taught PRANAYAMA (RECHAKA PURAKA WITH KUMBAKA) under supervision in the Institute for half an hour every day in the morning. The assessment was made on the basis of the mean clinical symptom score, mean dosage of drugs and mean FEV1, mean% Predicted FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC% and PEFR of the particular fortnight as compared to the initial values. The results indicate that though there was a statisticaly significant increase in the absolute values of the different paromotcrs of ventilatory function and reduction in the dosages of drugs and decrease in symptom-score, airways obstruction as noted by FEV1/FVC% remained unchanged.

Subjected to frequent parenteral drug and allergen administration, patients with bronchial asthma are likely to be at risk of contracting hepatitis B infection. In addition, those receiving immunotherapy are subjected to more frequent parenteral medication and hence are at a greater risk than those on only pharmacologic therapy. This problem was studied among 60 patients with bronchial asthma-30 on immunotherapy and 30 on pharmacotherapy. A higher prevalence o f Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) among patients with bronchial asthma than in the general population was detected but no difference was found between the two groups.

Oxygen Consumption At Rest And After Moderate Aerobic Exercise In Sportsmen

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V. K Vijayan, P Srikanth, K. V Kuppu Rao, S. P Tripathy

The oxygen consumption at rest and after moderate aerobic exercise on a treadmill was estimated in 20 sportsmen of Loyola College, Madras. The mean oxygen consumption index at rest was 118 ml/min/m2 and there was a three-fold incrase in oxygen consumption after walking at 5 k.m. per hour for five minutes on the treadmill. The rise in pulse rate and the rise in systolic blood pressure after the exercise did not have any significant correlation with the excess oxygen consumption. However, the product of the rise in pulse rate and the rise in systolic blood pressure (double product) showed a significant correlation with the excess oxygen consumed. The excess minute ventilation showed a positive correlation with the excess oxygen consumed, whereas the PO2 difference between the inspired and expired air showed a negative correlation. It is suggested that after moderate aerobic exercise in sportsmen, the initial responses are more on the respiratory system rather on the cardiovascular system.

Maintenance of nasotracheal tube for artificial ventilation for prolonged periods without damage to upper respiratory airway is facilitated by periodic fibreoptic bronchoscopic evaluation. Visualization of the mucous membrane is not possible through the commercially available transparent tubes in the cuff region. This can be inspected by withdrawal of the tube up to the vocal cords, while maintaining the airway. A case is reported where a nastotracheal tube was maintained for nearly 5 months (without mucosal damage) by periodic fibreoptic bronchoscopic evaluation of upper airway before resorting to a tracheostorny.

A case of tracheobronchomegaly with characteristic features of loud, prolonged cough and abnormally wide trachea and major bronchi demonstrable in chest radiogram, bronchoscopy and bronchogram is reported for its rarity.

The present paper deals with five illustrative cases of circular pulmonary shadows sometimes referred to as coin lesions, of diverse etiology presenting in a general medical ward, The controversy regarding the size, criteria and prevalence studies is indicated. Early detection by routine radiography, investigative armamentorium and the importance of tissue diagnosis is stressed.

A case of primary malignant hemangiopericytoma of right lung is reported. It is a very rare entity. Its occurrence after decortication of empyema thoracic had made this case unique. The details of clinical presentation and difficulty in establishing preoperative diagnosis are highlighted.